While you’re down in the shop
this winter working on new projects
or repairing some mishaps from
the summer, I ask that you take the
time to try and bring the sound level
down on your aircraft. It’s been my
experience throughout the years that
noise complaints are one, if not the top,
reason for losing flying fields.

That roaring engine, or propeller tips
going supersonic, might be music to
your ears, but not for everyone else. The
fixes can range from proper mufflers,
canisters, and three-blade propellers to
simple throttle management. Regardless
of how remote the location of your
field today, it might not stay that way
forever. Being proactive on reducing
our sound footprint can save plenty of
headaches later on—or a field or two.

District VII Associate Vice President
“Doc” Shelstrom attended Warbirds
Over Iowa this past summer, and has
offered the following words. Before I
sign off for this month, I’d like to take
a moment to wish a happy and healthy
holiday season to you and yours and
may 2016 be your best year ever.

The Cedar Rapids Skyhawks hosted
its 13th annual Warbirds Over Iowa on
July 18, 2015. High temperatures in
the 90s didn’t discourage the fliers or
the enthusiastic spectators. Todd Davis,
He was assisted by Wendell Maakestad.

Mark Woytassek was the flightline
coordinator and did an outstanding job
organizing takeoffs and landings.

Twenty-one pilots showcased
40 models throughout the day. A
predicted morning thunderstorm did
not materialize and the winds were
calm; however, afternoon crosswinds
developed that made landings a
challenge.

Among the pilots were Geoff
Barrance with his impressive Tiger
Moth and Wendell Maakestad with
his B- 17. Steve Forest won the Pilots’
Choice award for his F4U; Lyle Vasser
won Best Word War II model for his
B- 25; and Terry Peterson won Best
Flight with his P- 51 Mustang. Several
WW II veterans who attended the event
had input in choosing the best WW II
model.

The club did not charge admission,
but it encouraged spectators to make
donations to Honor Flight of Iowa to
help send veterans to Washington, D.C.

I had the distinct pleasure of
conversing with a spectator who had
flown in WW II, the Korean War, and
the Vietnam War. He had previously
participated in an Honor Flight and was
so impressed with the experience, that
he wanted to help other veterans be so
honored. He specifically came to the
event to make a donation to the Honor
Flight of Iowa.

Warbirds Over Iowa was his first
experience with viewing RC models up
close, and he marveled at the authentic
scale and details of the WW II fighters
and bombers, and was amazed at the
realism of their flights.

Rich Dean did an excellent job of
photographing the event. The local TV
station, KCRG, was on site and taped a
segment that ran on the evening news.

The Cedar Rapids Skyhawks was
established in 1962. It currently has
62 members, who make good use of
the new field that was built in 2003 on
property owned by the city and leased
by the club.